Medical English Project
The Medical English Program, successfully launched in March 2021, is currently on Summer Recess and will resume in November 2021. Class schedules will be posted in October 2021.
The Medical English Project was initiated by Audrey Kitagawa, Founder and President of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation, who visited the Congo and saw the needy state of healthcare in the region; and by Professor Mutombo Nkulu-N’Sengha from California State University Northridge (Los Angeles), who was born and raised in the Congo. He regularly returned as a visiting professor to Kamina to give lectures there. Together, over the years, Ms. Kitagawa and Professor Mutombo have been working to improve the health and education of the people in the community.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a French-speaking country surrounded by other African countries where English is more commonly used in international business, government, and education. The country has recognized that in order to advance the skills and expertise of its professionals, their computer skills and proficiency in English must be upgraded.
To support the DRC’s goal to improve the professional language skills of its medical doctors, the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation has assembled a group of eminent American medical doctors who will share their expertise in several areas of medical specialization with medical students and doctors in the DRC. The goal of the Medical English Project is to introduce the participants to the latest medical procedures and practices while providing a grounding in English medical vocabulary, terminology and concepts which are arising from research, clinical studies, and medical practices in the United States.
The American doctors will be working with the faculty and students of the University of Kamina School of Medicine, and the programs will be conducted on-line in interactive sessions. It is hoped that the knowledge shared in these weekly sessions will not only help improve the English medical vocabulary of the participants but connect them to the global medical community and prepare them for their future careers serving the health needs of the community with the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
Kamina is the Capital City of the Haut-Lomami province in the DRC. A small town of about 200,000 people, Kamina is an important Station where 3 railway lines coming from different parts of the country converge, and is situated near a major military base. The town harbors a vibrant, multiethnic and multicultural population from the Congo and some neighboring countries.
Residents of the Kamina area have faced health challenges on several fronts, including lack of safe drinking water, malnutrition, sexual and other diseases, notably Malaria, Typhoid fever, HIV, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Anemia, Goiter, and heart diseases. Situated in a region which is characterized by its vast mineral deposits, the residents of Kamina also suffer birth defects and poor health resulting from exposure to pollution from mining industries. Upgrading the skills and the international connectivity of its medical personnel will translate to better healthcare for the residents of the community.
The Academy’s Medical English Project was launched in March 2021 and has featured instruction across a broad spectrum of medical disciplines such as Cardiology, Dermatology, Gynecology, Gastroenterology, Surgery, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, Integrative and Alternative Medicine, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, Periodontology, Urology, Physiatry and Regenerative Medicine.
The Medical English Project’s goal is to support the DRC’s initiative to upgrade its medical professionals’ English medical vocabulary and their understanding of medical terminology and concepts to help improve healthcare in the country as well as enhance career opportunities in the globalized world.
Cardiology
The study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the heart and the blood vessels, including preventive theories, diagnostic procedures, and the latest approaches to treatment and recovery.
Dermatology
Jessica Weiser, M.D.
The skin is the body’s defense system, which protects the organs and systems within the body. Dermatology is a medical specialty which focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails, including psoriasis, eczema, and skin cancer, among many others.
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Research, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, and the digestive organs, their treatment, and advances in preventive and restorative methodologies. Advances in the prevention, diagnosis and management of diseases that affect the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas.
General Surgery
Surgical techniques and operating standards for general surgical procedures. An understanding of the American surgical suite model, practices, methods, equipment, surgical techniques, and theories.
Infectious Diseases
Introduction to the medical discipline which diagnoses and creates treatment plans for infectious diseases. This area of medicine is grounded in clinical and laboratory skills, as well as testing and analysis.
Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine
Modern internal medicine applies science and clinical research to diagnose and treat chronic illness and promote health and disease prevention. Integrative Medicine is a healing-oriented medical approach which takes into account the whole person, lifestyles, and a preventative approach to prevent illness and facilitate healing.
Nephrology
Nephrology is a specialty which diagnoses and treats diseases of the kidney. Nephrologists treat primary kidney disorders, but the practice also extends to the management of the systemic consequences of kidney dysfunction.
Ophthalmology
Ming Chen, M.D.
Surgical techniques, laser surgery methodologies, and treatment modalities in the area of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmological Surgery which address cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eye, and other ailments of the eyes.
Periodontology
Periodontology is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. Periodontal Medicine is the field that studies the link between chronic inflammatory periodontal disease and other systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimers, some cancers and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Physiatry and Regenerative Medicine
Physiatrists are doctors who treat various functions of the human body, diagnosing and treating pain, and developing a treatment plan, which often involves the discipline of Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation, focusing on the body’s ability to heal and repair itself.
Urology
David Chiahon Wei, M.D.
Urology is a medical specialty that deals with diseases of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. Urology is a surgical specialty which involves internal medicine, and treats adults and children.
Women's Health
The latest research, clinical studies and treatment modalities in the area of Gynecology, including menstrual Irregularities and other reproductive tract issues, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), birth control, infertility, and prenatal nutrition, and health.
Integrative Medicine and Preventive Medicine Physician
Modern internal medicine applies science and clinical research to diagnose and treat chronic illness and promote health and disease prevention. Integrative Medicine is a healing-oriented medical approach which takes into account the whole person, lifestyles, and a preventative approach to prevent illness and facilitate healing.
English and Culture Series
IAMC will be offering a series of educational sessions focusing on three areas: Democracy, Human Rights, and Ethics. The underlying concepts and philosophies of Democratic societies will be given a historical context and broken down into their component philosophical and organizational theories.
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings. It was accepted by the General Assembly as Resolution 217 at its third session on 10 December 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France.
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